Dive newbie who is an oldie

Need some advice:

Background: I was NAUI-certified 40 years ago and loved diving in N.
Fla. I haven't had tanks on in 35 years. I am still a good, strong
swimmer. When you turn 60 in my family the deal is you get to go
somewhere you have never been and always wanted to go. I'd like to go
diving for a week somewhere tropical (FL Keys or Caribbean are what
is affordable). My expectations are modest, 35-60' depths,
visibility, reefs, fish. After this dive, I will probably not dive
again because I live far from water. When I go, I'd like to take my
11yr old son diving too.

60 is three years away. There is a dive shop where I live and can get
certified thru them.

Q1. Can a 10-11 year old get certified?

Q2. What is the lowest level of certification (PADI or NAUI) one can
have to do open water dives with a /good/ dive operator? This is a
time/money question for me for getting certified to be 'good enuf.'
We'd show up with mask, fins, and rent the rest.

Q3. Where would you go to dive for the best bang for the buck?
Belize, Caymans, Bahamas, FL Keys....?

I am interested in-

competent dive masters,
good water and underwater sights,
shorter rather than longer transit time from shore to dive;
affordability,
minimal immigration and language hassles
near enuf to airport.

Do Not care about night life, beach scene. Prefer somewhere with
little of that so I can sleep at night....


TIA, Still a fan of Mike Nelson

> Background: I was NAUI-certified 40 years ago and loved diving in N. Fla.
> I haven't had tanks on in 35 years. I am still a good, strong
> swimmer. When you turn 60 in my family the deal is you get to go
> somewhere you have never been and always wanted to go. I'd like to go
> diving for a week somewhere tropical (FL Keys or Caribbean are what is
> affordable). My expectations are modest, 35-60' depths,
> visibility, reefs, fish. After this dive, I will probably not dive again
> because I live far from water. When I go, I'd like to take my 11yr old
> son diving too.
> 60 is three years away. There is a dive shop where I live and can get
> certified thru them.

Most dive shops and agencies offer refresher courses. If there's dive
training in your area, there's probably a dive shot that will do one for
you. A refresher isn't a bad idea. On the other hand, you don't actually
have to do anything if you can still find your NAUI card. Once certified,
always certified. It's still good, even though it's made of paper and does
not have your picture on it. I assume that's what yours looks like since
that's what mine is. I have several since, but the original is still as
valid as ever. By the way, I'm about a month from 60, but the other way. I
turned 60 in March. It didn't hurt . . . well, not much anyway.

> Q1. Can a 10-11 year old get certified?

I don't know the answer to this for sure, but I think there are courses for
younger divers. I think 12 may be the minimum age. Someone that knows
better than I do should pipe up any time now.

> Q2. What is the lowest level of certification (PADI or NAUI) one can have
> to do open water dives with a /good/ dive operator? This is a
> time/money question for me for getting certified to be 'good enuf.' We'd
> show up with mask, fins, and rent the rest.

You've already got it. If your card is like mine, it reads "SCUBA." Other
than that, the beginner course is most often called Open Water. That may or
may not apply to all agencies, but any of them will know what you're talking
about. The majors in entry level training are PADI, SSI, NAUI and YMCA.
YMCA isn't as popular as they used to be, but I think they still offer
certification training. For your purposes, one's about as good as the
others.

> Q3. Where would you go to dive for the best bang for the buck? Belize,
> Caymans, Bahamas, FL Keys....? I am interested in-competent dive masters,
> good water and underwater sights, shorter rather than longer transit time
> from shore to dive; affordability, minimal immigration and language
> hassles
> near enuf to airport.

Aren't we all. In pure dollars and cents terms, the Keys are probably the
best bang for the buck, but only because you can drive there. If you opt
for the Keys, consider Looe Key, particularly if your son can't get
certified before you go. It's a shallow area suitable both for divers and
snorkelers, one of the best of its kind in the state.

"The Bahamas" covers a lot of territory. There's a bunch of them. I've
done some very nice diving in the Bahamas, but I did not find the dive
masters particularly helpful. I'm sure there are exceptions, but for the
most part, I think Bahamas diving is better for those that feel comfortable
more or less on their own. After a refresher course, that might include
you. I'd stay away from New Providence (Nassau and Paradise Island). The
diving's not that great and the prices are high. Freeport is one of my
least favorite places in the world, so I'd stay away from there too. Bimini
has some nice diving, as does Andros. The rest of what I've done in the
Bahamas has been a bit harder to get to, more suitable to live aboard diving
than a land based family vacation. There's probably more nice places. I'll
leave it to those that know them to make recommendations.

I've never been to Belize.

Grand Cayman is one of my favorite dive destinations. The boat diving is
excellent and the shore diving is even better and range from novice level to
very advanced. It's not cheap, but if I thought it was going to be my last
dive trip ever, I'd certainly consider Grand Cayman. I also like Cayman
Brac and little Cayman, but I didn't enjoy the shore diving in either as
much as I did on Grand Cayman and, while you say night life is not
important, that's not the same as "none" which is what the smaller Cayman
islands have.

> TIA, Still a fan of Mike Nelson

Just like all the rest of us old timers.

Lee

ISBN10 <jpa457@gmail.com> wrote:

>Need some advice:
>
>Background: I was NAUI-certified 40 years ago and loved diving in N.
>Fla. I haven't had tanks on in 35 years. I am still a good, strong
>swimmer.

My first dive in 1967, they strapped the tanks on me, said "Don't hold
your breath", and had me do a back roll off the boat. After that, I
took a SCUBA course with a dive shop in Key West called the Diver's
Den. It wasn't with any kind of national certification.

I loved it, but I felt it was too expensive to take money out of the
family budget (by then I had 3 children) for something that was just
for me, even though my husband was willing for me to do it. So I
didn't dive again until my husband wanted to buy a sailboat. I said
I would consider doing that if I could dive. So in 1996, I took a
local Open Water PADI course (in late November), and did my checkout
dives in January 1997 from a sailboat in the Virgin Islands. At that
time, I was 57 years old.

>When you turn 60 in my family the deal is you get to go
>somewhere you have never been and always wanted to go. I'd like to go
>diving for a week somewhere tropical (FL Keys or Caribbean are what
>is affordable). My expectations are modest, 35-60' depths,
>visibility, reefs, fish. After this dive, I will probably not dive
>again because I live far from water. When I go, I'd like to take my
>11yr old son diving too.
>
I would advise a refresher course, which usually doesn't cost as much
as a full course if they are running one anyway.

>60 is three years away. There is a dive shop where I live and can get
>certified thru them.
>
>Q1. Can a 10-11 year old get certified?
>
I think the lower age limit is 12, and my son-in-law (who was
certified when he was about 14) didn't want his son to do scuba until
he was 14. Or maybe they've raised the age limit. Or maybe he just
wants his son to do as he did. The kid is 13 now (will be 14 in a
month) and is already 6'2"

>Q2. What is the lowest level of certification (PADI or NAUI) one can
>have to do open water dives with a /good/ dive operator? This is a
>time/money question for me for getting certified to be 'good enuf.'
>We'd show up with mask, fins, and rent the rest.
>
As Lee said - you have the certification. I'd advise a refresher
course just so that you can get up to speed with the newer equipment,
and so that you will have some practice for safety sake..

>Q3. Where would you go to dive for the best bang for the buck?
>Belize, Caymans, Bahamas, FL Keys....?
>
I have been diving in Florida, Belize, the Bahamas, Cozumel and the
Virgin Islands. I have been snorkeling in Costa Rica, Barbados,
Aruba, Grand Cayman, and would like to have gone in Bermuda but the
water was always too cold when we were there. Which brings up the
point - if you go in the summer, you need to be aware of the hurricane
season. If you go in the winter, the water will be colder the farther
north you get.

I would say the cheapest, best place to go if it has recovered from
the hurricanes is Cozumel. Lots of competent dive masters and a lot
of reef to see. It is drift diving. I don't speak much Spanish, but
I can get along there OK. I don't do the night life thing either,
although we did go out to dinner at night.

In Belize the dive sites off the outer cays are very close and there
is a lot of reef, but I found it fairly colorless compared to the
Virgin Islands. It is also expensive to get there.

Virgin Islands are expensive to be there (hotels etc). I don't care
for diving in the Keys in the winter as it is too cold - the same for
the Bahamas. English is the language in all those places.

>I am interested in-
>
>competent dive masters,
>good water and underwater sights,
>shorter rather than longer transit time from shore to dive;
>affordability,
>minimal immigration and language hassles
>near enuf to airport.
>
>Do Not care about night life, beach scene. Prefer somewhere with
>little of that so I can sleep at night....
>
>
>TIA, Still a fan of Mike Nelson

If you can splurge one time, go to Bonaire. It is the best by far for
diving. It also has diving for every level of diver. The atmosphere on the
island is laid back. Quality of dive shops is high and dive masters are
competent. Another one of the plusses of Bonaire is that you can choose to
boat dive with a group or go on your own for a shore dive. There are about
80 marked shore dives all around the island. Bonaire's bread and butter is
diving. The whole island is pretty much set up for it. I don't think there
is any wild night life on the island. It's pretty calm, and quite safe.
Bonaire is governed by the Dutch, so you will hear Dutch, English, and the
local Papiamento dialect. The sea life is spectacular and abundant. Many
people go there just for the snorkeling. It will be a trip both you and
your son will never forget. Start saving now. I think you will find it
worth it. Jane



"ISBN10" <jpa457@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1cc81d5a-69f2-4e18-ad26-64c8b8b94c13@k37g2000hsf.googlegroups.com...
> Need some advice:
>
> Background: I was NAUI-certified 40 years ago and loved diving in N.
> Fla. I haven't had tanks on in 35 years. I am still a good, strong
> swimmer. When you turn 60 in my family the deal is you get to go
> somewhere you have never been and always wanted to go. I'd like to go
> diving for a week somewhere tropical (FL Keys or Caribbean are what
> is affordable). My expectations are modest, 35-60' depths,
> visibility, reefs, fish. After this dive, I will probably not dive
> again because I live far from water. When I go, I'd like to take my
> 11yr old son diving too.
>
> 60 is three years away. There is a dive shop where I live and can get
> certified thru them.
>
> Q1. Can a 10-11 year old get certified?
>
> Q2. What is the lowest level of certification (PADI or NAUI) one can
> have to do open water dives with a /good/ dive operator? This is a
> time/money question for me for getting certified to be 'good enuf.'
> We'd show up with mask, fins, and rent the rest.
>
> Q3. Where would you go to dive for the best bang for the buck?
> Belize, Caymans, Bahamas, FL Keys....?
>
> I am interested in-
>
> competent dive masters,
> good water and underwater sights,
> shorter rather than longer transit time from shore to dive;
> affordability,
> minimal immigration and language hassles
> near enuf to airport.
>
> Do Not care about night life, beach scene. Prefer somewhere with
> little of that so I can sleep at night....
>
>
> TIA, Still a fan of Mike Nelson

With PADI the minimum age is 10 years old for the junior certifications.


"ISBN10" <jpa457@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1cc81d5a-69f2-4e18-ad26-64c8b8b94c13@k37g2000hsf.googlegroups.com...
> Need some advice:
>
> Background: I was NAUI-certified 40 years ago and loved diving in N.
> Fla. I haven't had tanks on in 35 years. I am still a good, strong
> swimmer. When you turn 60 in my family the deal is you get to go
> somewhere you have never been and always wanted to go. I'd like to go
> diving for a week somewhere tropical (FL Keys or Caribbean are what
> is affordable). My expectations are modest, 35-60' depths,
> visibility, reefs, fish. After this dive, I will probably not dive
> again because I live far from water. When I go, I'd like to take my
> 11yr old son diving too.
>
> 60 is three years away. There is a dive shop where I live and can get
> certified thru them.
>
> Q1. Can a 10-11 year old get certified?
>
> Q2. What is the lowest level of certification (PADI or NAUI) one can
> have to do open water dives with a /good/ dive operator? This is a
> time/money question for me for getting certified to be 'good enuf.'
> We'd show up with mask, fins, and rent the rest.
>
> Q3. Where would you go to dive for the best bang for the buck?
> Belize, Caymans, Bahamas, FL Keys....?
>
> I am interested in-
>
> competent dive masters,
> good water and underwater sights,
> shorter rather than longer transit time from shore to dive;
> affordability,
> minimal immigration and language hassles
> near enuf to airport.
>
> Do Not care about night life, beach scene. Prefer somewhere with
> little of that so I can sleep at night....
>
>
> TIA, Still a fan of Mike Nelson

On May 2, 10:48*am, ISBN10 <jpa...@gmail.com> wrote:

> Q3. *Where would you go to dive for the best bang for the buck?
> Belize, Caymans, Bahamas, FL Keys....?
>
> I am interested in-
>
> competent dive masters,
> good water and underwater sights,
> shorter rather than longer transit time from shore to dive;
> affordability,
> minimal immigration and language hassles
> near enuf to airport.

You might be OK on one of the sister islands, as long as you and all
your luggage can make it there, but Grand Cayman is a bit "over the
hill" for diving, its best spots long tarnished by cruise ships,
overdevelopment, hurricanes, you name it. Plus, it's ultra-
expensive. You can try to save by doing a meal plan at a dedicated
resort like Cobalt Coast, but you can do that in many other places in
the Caribbean with better diving for less money. Whoever suggested
Grand Cayman to you doesn't know what he's talking about.

Roatan is the popular "best bang for the buck" island, but I don't
care for it much. YMMV. Certainly it's a good deal. Cozumel has
better diving, IMO, but it may be overwhelming for new divers as the
currents can be tricky and depths hard to gauge in the clear water.
Personally, I prefer Bonaire, as it's easy to stretch a dollar there.
Not only is the exchange rate still somewhat favorable, making dining
out cheaper than in the states, but most of the lodgings come with
complete kitchens so you can make your own meals. Diving is similar:
you can pay a very decent price for dive master-led boat dives or you
can literally dive for free by shore diving with one of the ubiquitous
unlimited air or nitrox packages.

You also might want to consider a liveaboard, particularly Nekton
since they cover the Bahamas and Belize itineraries you mention. If
you price it out, they are very competitive with land-based
operations, especially when you consider the amount of bottom time you
can get in. Plus they have a special for new divers where you can not
only get your certification referral dives for free, but they
reimburse your training costs up to $150. What a deal.

[Default] Thus spake ISBN10 <jpa457@gmail.com>:


>
>Q1. Can a 10-11 year old get certified?

"Yes" ... But.

It isn't what I'd call a useful cert. Depth limits, specific budy
requirements, and not everyone likes them. I really don't want to
teach someone that young for a variety of reasons. Fortunately, my
shop doesn't, either.

>
>Q2. What is the lowest level of certification (PADI or NAUI) one can
>have to do open water dives with a /good/ dive operator? This is a
>time/money question for me for getting certified to be 'good enuf.'
>We'd show up with mask, fins, and rent the rest.

A plain open water and some demonstrable experience. Given your
hiatus, I second everyone in getting a refresher. Things have changed
a tad bit.

>
>Q3. Where would you go to dive for the best bang for the buck?
>Belize, Caymans, Bahamas, FL Keys....?
>
>I am interested in-
>
>competent dive masters,
>good water and underwater sights,
>shorter rather than longer transit time from shore to dive;
>affordability,
>minimal immigration and language hassles
>near enuf to airport.

Hmm, I think the Keys might hit the spot.

>
>Do Not care about night life, beach scene. Prefer somewhere with
>little of that so I can sleep at night....
>
>
>TIA, Still a fan of Mike Nelson

OK, ISBN10, to summarize, you're certified, but get a refresher. We've
got dive computers, BCDs instead of horse collars, and lot of other new
new equipment.

I was going to recommend Belize (Ambergris Caye), but its a real small
island so your son is likely to be bored. Much the same applies to the
Keys...Key West is interesting, but my kids complained about the smoking
at Jimmy Buffet's. The other keys are more laid back.

I'd suggest West Palm Beach. I've had some great dives around Memorial
Day there. The commute to the dive site is longer than Belize's 10
minutes, but 20 minutes gives you time to gear up (and bigger boats).
There's a lot to see when you aren't diving...There's an interesting an
butterfly garden and baseball in Miami, but you haven't said what time
of year you're going or where you're coming from.



ISBN10 wrote:
> Need some advice:
>
> Background: I was NAUI-certified 40 years ago and loved diving in N.
> Fla. I haven't had tanks on in 35 years. I am still a good, strong
> swimmer. When you turn 60 in my family the deal is you get to go
> somewhere you have never been and always wanted to go. I'd like to go
> diving for a week somewhere tropical (FL Keys or Caribbean are what
> is affordable). My expectations are modest, 35-60' depths,
> visibility, reefs, fish. After this dive, I will probably not dive
> again because I live far from water. When I go, I'd like to take my
> 11yr old son diving too.
>
> 60 is three years away. There is a dive shop where I live and can get
> certified thru them.
>
> Q1. Can a 10-11 year old get certified?
>
> Q2. What is the lowest level of certification (PADI or NAUI) one can
> have to do open water dives with a /good/ dive operator? This is a
> time/money question for me for getting certified to be 'good enuf.'
> We'd show up with mask, fins, and rent the rest.
>
> Q3. Where would you go to dive for the best bang for the buck?
> Belize, Caymans, Bahamas, FL Keys....?
>
> I am interested in-
>
> competent dive masters,
> good water and underwater sights,
> shorter rather than longer transit time from shore to dive;
> affordability,
> minimal immigration and language hassles
> near enuf to airport.
>
> Do Not care about night life, beach scene. Prefer somewhere with
> little of that so I can sleep at night....
>
>
> TIA, Still a fan of Mike Nelson

On May 6, 9:16 pm, John Smith <John.Sm...@example.net> wrote:

First thanks to all for really good insights and advice. Lots of
things
I had not considered or that were totally new to me!

> got dive computers, BCDs instead of horse collars, and lot of other new
> new equipment.

Equipment has changed from the black everything and single stage
regulators of my youth. My entire kit then was a single tank, SS reg,
fins, mask, snorkel. Didn't need weights b/c I was 6' and 132#.
Things
to learn there.

> I was going to recommend Belize (Ambergris Caye), but its a real small
> island so your son is likely to be bored.

Belize looks really interesting. Taking 1-2 days off to go inland to
see the Mayan ruins would break it up. Depending on affordability
at the time, Belize, Roatan, Bonaire are on my scope now.

>
> I'd suggest West Palm Beach.

That is a really interesting idea. Never knew there was diving off
there. The $ saving implications are major and there are
relatives in FL my wife could visit while the boys go diving.
20min is v. reasonable transit time. I know wreck divers who
have 4-6hr transit times, and that is not for me.

> you haven't said what time
> of year you're going or where you're coming from.

Western North Carolina. Time of year is up to me. Just some
time in that 60th year (2012). Getting to FL by car is easy (given
gas
prices) and air travel to the Caribbean is not hard via Miami
or Houston.

Again thanks for all the advice. I'll be back in 2011 for more.

> Q3. Where would you go to dive for the best bang for the buck?
> Belize, Caymans, Bahamas, FL Keys....?
>

I only wanted to answer the destination part - so I clipped the rest.
Lee and Rosalie answered your other questions thoroughly enough.

My first choice would be Cozumel due to the ease of getting there and
the bang for your buck. Some of the diving there can be advanced but
most dive operators tend to dive the experience of the divers. My first
ocean dives were Cancun and Cozumel. The drift diving in Cozumel can be
a lot of fun - but I have also experienced currents pulling me out into
the channel and down the wall.

Never been to Bonaire, I've done Belize - it was okay, Grand Cayman was
very good - only boats for me there - never any shore diving. St Thomas
and St Maarten were okay but I did those two from a cruise ship.

Given your information the Keys maybe your best options - Key Largo is
decent, I really like Islamorada (the only two I have done in the Keys)